Second year doctoral studies in History

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers: but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.              I Peter 1:3-9, 13-19

      This text tells us that God has allowed us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It tells us that we have an imperishable inheritance from Jesus that will be tested with various trials, but we will be protected by the power of God (3-9).  In verses 13-19, we are to fix our hope completely (the eternal perspective) on the future grace that will come at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  We are not to be conformed to former lusts but be holy as Christ is holy (imitate Christ, Ephesians 5:1) and the motivation for all of this is knowing and receiving the sacrifice of Christ for our sins so that we might have eternal life.

     In yesterday’s mail, one of these “trials” that came to our attention was more evidence of the ACLU’s  relentless fight to silence Christians in any and every way possible.  All other kinds of historically and traditionally aberrant behavior is allowed but NOT values based on the Judeo-Christian worldview which has become “politically incorrect.”

     The ACLU is now trying to use intimidation and political pressure to silence a part of the Gideons International ministry going on in Florida. For many years, they have been dispersing Bibles with absolutely no duress or monetary charge to schools, hotels, businesses, or any other places they are given the opportunity to disseminate Bibles.  Recently, two Gideons were peaceably giving away Bibles in public domain (exercising their First Amendment rights) when they were arrested and put in jail overnight!! One would have to question how giving something away FREE (no bombs, no death threats) and in America (the land of the free and the home of the brave), could merit such severe action.  These Gideons were not slitting throats or threatening any lives, but merely passing on information that could be life-changing to those who might accept it and read it . . . a total free choice of those recipients with no life-threatening consequences. The ACLU constantly attacks the Truth of Scripture but takes no action against the smut and filth that saturates our society; it is only the Christian worldview that is anathema.  Much money is spent by the ACLU to persecute and prosecute many Christians who are not being disruptive or perpetrating violence through their actions.  The flyer that we received is from the Alliance Defense Fund, and the book that further delves into this is The ACLU vs. America (Alan Sears, Craig Osteen).  Americans are now daily seeing more of our religious freedoms and rights taken away or put under the control of the government as an increasing number of Christians are silenced and jailed for exercising these privileges and rights (as guaranteed by the First Amendment)! The ACLU understands that ideas DO have consequences, and the antithesis of what the ACLU represents is Biblical Christianity. Napoleon once said that in the end the sword is always conquered by the mind. How true that the pen is mightier than the sword!  We thank God that His Word is eternal and has the power to set men free (John 8:32).

    For the Christian, Hebrews 4:12 tells us that it is God’s Word that is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.  A true believer has experienced the reality of the Word engrafted, and there will be life changing effects which should produce the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24). We pray that each of you will have grateful hearts for your inheritance in Christ and that if and when persecution may come, we will all be ready to suffer for the sake of righteousness bringing glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. Our behavior and responses are the true gauge of what we really believe.  Actions speak louder than words!

We love not with word or tongue, but with deeds and truth (I John 3:18).

     It has become a long hot summer even with the wonderful rain-filled spring and early summer.  After sustaining water damage (A/C plugged drain) in late June and subsequent painting and re-carpeting, we began to realize last Friday that our A/C was not cooling adequately from Friday to Monday morning. We had heard no dripping water, so “knew” we were “safe.”  Not so! Our coils had built up 3” of ice and, of course, some “dripless” (and soundless) water infiltration, AGAIN, into Taryn’s newly carpeted bedroom! Being reminded of James 1 to “count it all joy” when we suffer ANYTHING, was a great encouragement to us all!  This summer has been one of being in the waiting closet for many things. We praise God that our guest house schedule was such that the girls could live between there and the house for these past weeks. We have had some fun and profitable ministry opportunities with the NEA, Colorado ministries, two Houston home school conventions, and ministry in several churches from Alabama, to Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas. We need continued prayer for Jobe’s health; Taryn and Mirren’s safety, health, and ability to do well in school (Their oral comprehensive exams are early next summer and they also need prayer for effective dissertation research amidst class work.); for the possibility of a Incredible Creatures Vol. IV DVD; for the Russian translation of the book; and for the on-going challenges of travel and catch-up.  We are daily grateful for the many blessings that the Lord provides through ministry, our daughters, our forty years of marriage, the faithful prayer and support partners of BDM, but most of all for our eternal destiny in Christ! Ephesians 1; 1 Peter 1!

September/October 2007 Schedule

2^nd: Taryn and Mirren leave for Pensacola, FL, second year doctoral studies in History

16^th: Metro Bible Church, Trophy Club, TX, Church, Overview of Biblical Prophecy:  817-715-3391

20^th: Leave for Toronto, Canada  (flying…pray!)

21, 22, 23: Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario, Canada:  Evolution/Creation Issues and Assumptions

22^nd: Bronte Seventh Day Adventist Church, Oakville, Ontario: Global Warming, A Christian Perspective/Incredible Creatures

24^th: Return to Dallas

30^th: First Baptist of Carrollton, TX, Sunday School for 25-45 age with children, Creation and Incredible Creatures

30^th: Leave for Pennsylvania

2^nd: Millersville University, (College Bible Fellowship) Lancaster, PA: Global Warming, A Christian Perspective

3^rd: Heritage Baptist Church, Seven Valleys, PA, Wednesday evening service: Creationism: (717) 428-1765

4^th: Institute for Scientific and Biblical Research, Lancaster, PA, 7:30 P.M. Updates on NEA Conventions, Incredible Creatures

5-6^th: See family in Perryopolis, PA

7^th: Glasgow Baptist Church, Newark, DE: An overview of the Creation/Evolution Issues: (A.M. and P.M.) 410-398-2733

8^th: See family in Pennsylvania en route home

9^th: Back to Texas

14^th: Stepping Stones Church, McKinney, TX: 9:15 & 10:30A.M.  (972) 548-1300: Creation and Incredible Creatures

16^th: Jobe’s cardiac appointment

18-22^nd: Seventh Day Adventist Church, Manchester, New Hampshire: Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution/Creationism

 26-28^th: Kerrville, TX, Couple’s Retreat with friends and emphasis on fellowshipping around the Word and Hymn singing! J

31^st:  Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX: Chapel:  Creation or Evolution, Does It Really Matter?

(Questions about schedule contact 469-338-1195)